News Release

Man dies while swimming off the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke Island, NC

Date: July 12, 2020
Contact: Mike Barber, 252-475-9032

This morning a 65-year-old male from Chester Heights, PA died in the Atlantic Ocean off a beach on Ocracoke Island at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), North Carolina.

Additional details:

• Seashore Rangers received a call at 11:15 a.m. regarding a swimmer that had been missing for approximately 15 minutes near the Pony Pen beach at the Seashore on Ocracoke Island.

• After arriving at the scene, a Seashore Ranger spotted the individual face down approximately 60 yards from the beach.

• A Seashore lifeguard retrieved the man and brought him to shore.

• Rangers, Hyde County Emergency Medical Services staff, and Good Samaritans administered CPR; however, efforts were not successful.

• A large rip current was spotted at the site where the swimmer went missing.

• The cause of death is unknown until a medical examination is performed.

• A moderate risk of rip currents was forecast for all Outer Banks beaches today. A moderate risk of rip currents means that “wind and/or wave conditions support stronger or more frequent rip currents. Only experienced surf swimmers should enter the surf on moderate risk days.”

“Our team at Cape Hatteras National Seashore sends our most sincere condolences to this man's family following the very sad loss that occurred today off the Seashore's beach on Ocracoke Island. While we don't know the cause of this tragic event, our staff observed rip currents in the area and moderately rough surf conditions. We strongly urge swimmers to take great caution when entering the Atlantic Ocean where swimming can be challenging for even the most experienced swimmers," said National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac.